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Starting June 2010, we have eliminated CDs and most (if not all) paperwork from our packaging.  Now, the UE9 simply has a sticker on the box that directs you to this page (/support/ue9).

The following quickstart is for Windows, so here are some useful links for Mac & Linux users:  Exodriver, LabJackPython, LJSocket, and LJFuse.

 

UE9 Quickstart (Windows)

1.  Download and install the drivers/software for Windows.

2.  Connect the UE9 via USB to the computer or hub.  The COMM (yellow) and CONTROL (green) LEDs should blink at power up.  The COMM LED should turn off after a few blinks, and the CONTROL LED should blink at 2.5Hz.  If Windows asks about installing new hardware, just accept the defaults.

3.  Run LJControlPanel which was installed during step #1 above.  Click "Find Devices" and you should get an entry for the UE9.  Click on the connection (probably "USB - 1"), and the right side of the screen will display basic information about the device.  Click "Test" to bring up the test panel where you can read all inputs and write all outputs.  This test panel is a great tool to use often, and lets you check out basic hardware operation before trying more complex software.  Make sure you close LJControlPanel before trying other software.

Some basic tests to do in the test panel with 1 jumper wire:

  • Connect a jumper wire from DAC0 (digital to analog converter 0) to AIN0 (analog input 0).  Use the control in the test panel to change DAC0, and you should read back the voltage on AIN0.  If you want to connect some other voltage to measure, you likely connect positive to AIN0 and negative to GND, but see Section 2.7.3 for more info.
  • The FIO0 Direction should be set to input (direction checkbox clear) by default.  The State box will be checked, indicating that it is reading high due to the internal pull-up.  Connect one end of the jumper wire to GND, hold the other end inside the FIO0 terminal, and the State box should clear.
  • In the Timers and Counters area, click Config and enable Counter 0. No timers are enabled, so Counter0 will appear on FIO0.  Tap the other end of the GND wire inside the FIO0 terminal, and each tap will cause lots (~100) of counts on the Counter0 indicator.
  • Click Config again, enable Timer0, and set its mode to PWM16.  This will result in a 732 Hz square wave out of FIO0, while Counter0 is pushed up to FIO1.  Connect the jumper wire from FIO0 to FIO1 to see Counter0 increment by about 732 counts per second.
  • Move the jumper wire to connect FIO2 to FIO3.  Set FIO2 Direction to output.  Toggle the state of FIO2 using the State box and FIO3 should read back the same state.
  • Connect the jumper wire from FIO2 to AIN0.  Toggle the state of FIO2 and AIN0 should read about 0 and 3.3 volts.

4.  Refer to the UE9 User's Guide.

 

Moving forward from here ...

UD Series Software Options:

  • Sample Applications:  All free.  LJControlPanel (part of the normal Windows installation) has a test panel where you can view all inputs and manually control all outputs.  LJLogUD collects analog input data in command/response mode (generally 100 Hz or slower), displays it on screen, and writes it to file.  LJStreamUD collects analog input data in stream mode (generally 10 Hz or faster), displays it on screen, and writes it to file.  Both applications are free.
  • Programming:  All free.  If you know any language we probably support it.  This includes C, C++, C#, Delphi, Java, LabVIEW, LabWindows/CVI, MATLAB, Python, and Visual Basic (VB6/VB.NET).  Start on our UD Series Programming page.
  • DAQFactory:  Free and paid versions.  DAQFactory is measurement and automation software from Azeotech, that allows non-programmers to make custom applications.  Start on our DAQFactory page.

Getting The Latest Driver/Software/Firmware:

If you are having problems or doing something cutting edge, you should make sure you have the very latest of everything:

  • Note your current version numbers.  The main splash screen of LJControlPanel tells you your UD driver version number, and if you find and click on a particular device you can see its firmware version number.  LJControlPanel and LJSelfUpgrade version numbers are in the title bar at the top of each program.
  • First check for a newer UD driver DLL.
  • Then check for a newer LJControlPanel and LJSelfUpgrade.
  • Then run LJSelfUpgrade and check for newer firmware (check the "beta" sub-folder).

Getting Support:

  • If you have a question that you think should be covered in the documentation, try going to where you think it should be and post a comment.  Go to the UE9 User's Guide, and at the top or bottom of any page click "Add new comment".
  • Other great options are our forum or email.

 

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Comments

#1

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 2011-04-11 09:07.

Is it possible to read voltages higher than +5V on any of these? Is it possible to output higher voltages or sinusoids?

#2

Submitted by LabJack Support on Mon, 2011-04-11 09:46.

You need to use a voltage divider or the LJTick-Divider.  See Section 2.7.3.6 of the UE9 User's Guide.

You need to externally amplify the DAC outputs or use LJTick-DACs for +/-10 volt outputs.  See Section 2.8.1.2 of the UE9 User's Guide.

For waveforms, such as sinusoids, you need to send updates 1 at a time to create the desired waveform.  See the related app note.  The app note also mentions Stream-DAC available on the UE9.

#3

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 2010-12-22 09:32.

Is it possible to read both positive and negative voltages in a single channel using the analog inputs on the LabJack UE9?

#4

Submitted by LabJack Support on Wed, 2010-12-22 11:56.

If you are asking about differential measurements, no the UE9 does not support differential.

#5

Submitted by steve on Wed, 2010-12-22 10:50.

Yes, the UE9's inputs can be set to bipolar mode which will read ±5V.